IndiGo Disruptions: DGCA Tightens Scrutiny, Summons CEO Again as Operations Stabilise
Eight member oversight team deployed; airline reports early signs of recovery amid week-long disruptions
New Delhi, Dec 12 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for a second round of questioning on Friday as the regulator expands its probe into the airline’s massive operational breakdown.
Elbers, who appeared before the regulator’s inquiry panel on Thursday, has been asked to return as investigators dig deeper into the lapses that triggered widespread disruptions, grounded hundreds of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. A four-member team is expected to question him this time, signalling the DGCA’s heightened scrutiny of what is being termed one of the most serious aviation collapses in recent years.
DGCA ramps up oversight with special monitoring team
To determine the underlying causes, the DGCA has deployed an eight-member special monitoring team to track IndiGo’s functioning in real time. Two officers will be stationed at the airline’s corporate headquarters to observe daily operational processes and identify gaps contributing to sustained delays and cancellations.
The regulator’s move comes in the backdrop of chaos at major airports, where passengers have endured long queues, last-minute cancellations, protracted delays and severe baggage snarls.
IndiGo reports early stabilisation as flights scale up
Despite the intense scrutiny, IndiGo said operations are gradually stabilising. The airline is now operating 1,900+ flights across 138 destinations, an IndiGo spokesperson said, indicating that its network performance is showing signs of improvement.
Board ropes in external experts; Chairman issues public apology
IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta on Thursday announced that the Board will bring in external technical experts to help identify the root causes of the crisis and ensure such large-scale disruptions are not repeated.
Mehta also issued a public apology to passengers affected between December 3 and 5, acknowledging that thousands missed family events, business commitments, medical appointments and international connections due to the turmoil. Baggage delays, he said, had further worsened the experience.
Explaining the Board’s silence during the initial days of the crisis, Mehta said the priority was to allow the management, led by CEO Elbers, to focus on stabilising operations before making public statements.
He added that IndiGo is now operating more than 1,900 flights daily with on-time performance back to normal levels, marking a turning point after a week of disruptions.
